The occluded renal artery.

Abstract

Twenty-seven cases of renal artery occlusion are presented. In 16 patients the duration of occlusion could be determined and only two of 16 became hypertensive or experienced worsening of existing hypertension. Seven of 11 patients in whom the duration was unknown were hypertensive. Twelve patients were not treated and of these, ten are deceased with renal artery occlusion contributory in six deaths. Nine patients underwent nephrectomy and of eight hypertensive patients, five became normotensive. Six underwent revascularization and four were successful at 2 hours, 22 hours, 9 days, and 39 days, respectively, after occlusion. The experience leads us to conclude that viability can be proven only by direct observation and that revascularization with return of function and lowering of blood pressure is possible after prolonged periods of occlusion.